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Grace Forbush.
Grace Forbush, freshman, initially found out about Olivet College from Kaitlin Feeney, former head coach of women’s lacrosse.
“She emailed me about the college and told me to check out the campus because she wanted me to see the lacrosse team,” said Forbush. “I liked the small setting of the class rooms. Students also get a lot of one on one time with professors, which I thought was great.”
Since arriving at Olivet, Forbush has had no problem getting involved in campus life. She is a color guard in the marching band. She is also a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance, Olivet College Veterans’ Advocates, and the Disability Rights Council.
On top of this, Forbush is also a student athlete. She plays for the lacrosse team, which she says is different from high school because she has never played lacrosse in the fall.
When deciding her major, Forbush didn’t have too much trouble deciding that history was for her. She said that even with people telling her that she wouldn’t get a job with her degree she’s committed to history.
“I’ve just been fascinated and loved history since I was 5 years old. I’ve always been told that I won’t get far with it, but my junior year of high school, I said forget it, and pursued it.”
Adjusting to college has not been overly difficult for Forbush, but she said it is different from high school. “There’s always the challenge of getting used to your parents not being there and not seeing everyone that you’ve seen for the past 18 years.”
When asked what was the biggest difference from high school to college, Forbush said, “The responsibility...the professors are not as strict. I also have to remember to do what I need to survive. I’ve had people drag me to the Kirk Center because I wasn’t going to eat dinner.”
Despite being away from home, the responsibility, and adjusting to college life, Forbush said that she has enjoyed her time here at Olivet so far. “I like the new setting. It’s fun and exciting and adventurous.”
Brandie Pomeroy posing for her high school senior photo.
Brandie Pomeroy, sophomore, graduated from Mattawan High School, which is where she found out about Olivet.
“I was interested because I had never heard of it,” said Pomeroy. “I made my friend Katlin sign up to meet the Administrative Representative Jared Stratz with me. We were the only two there, but we made it fun.”
Pomeroy is double majoring in Criminal Justice (CJ) and Corrections and Law Enforcement. According to niche.com and college factual.com, as of 2016, Criminal Justice is among the majors with the most graduates from Olivet.
“I came to Olivet because they have such a high CJ program,” said Pomeroy.
Pomeroy is planning on going to the police academy during her senior year here at Olivet, and her end goal is to become a detective. Originally, Pomeroy had plans to go to Madonna University for forensic science, but decided that was not what she wanted to do.
“I was going to go into forensic science because I knew my mom didn’t want me becoming an officer,” Pomeroy said, but she ended up doing what she wanted to do, with her mother supporting her decision.
“No one in my family wants me to be a police officer. I’ve been told that I am the bunny from ‘Zootopia’.”
When not in class, Pomeroy keeps herself busy. She is a new member of the Disability Rights Council, a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), is on the gender advisory board for the Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center, and works for Campus Safety. Her roommate, Amanda Briggs, sophomore, said “She’s very organized. She’s always on top of things and that makes her easy to live with. She’s a good influence and motivates me to be a good student.”
Sophomore year is quite different in comparison to her freshman year. Pomeroy said, “I’m a lot more confident than I was last year. I made the Dean’s List and have the academic stability to progress in the Criminal Justice program.” In addition, Pomeroy has noticed that groups on campus are a lot closer than she realized.
“The college is working on getting students who feel like they don’t belong involved. I’ve talked to some freshmen and it feels like it’s more community based than I thought last year.”
Pomeroy said, “Being a Comet means a lot to me because it was such a struggle to get here. I’m an independent student so I’m paying for everything. The College made a plan so that I could come here. I felt so comfortable here on my visit and it’s weird for me to feel comfortable in a place that’s not home.”
Every student has a different experience here, but most do not get the opportunity to share it. That is what Comet Corner is all about.